Miss Thang - Monica

Personnel: Monica (vocals), Tommy Martin (guitar), Bob Robinson (keyboards), Colin Wolfe, Ronnie Garrett (bass), Rick Sheppard (programming), Debra Killings, Lisette Titi (background vocals).
Producers: Dallas Austin (tracks 1-2, 10, 15); Dallas Austin, Colin Wolfe (track 3); Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson (tracks 4-5, 8-9, 12); Colin Wolfe (track 6); Arnold Hennings (tracks 7, 14, 16); SoulShock, Karlin (track 11); Daryl Simmons (track 13).
Engineers: Leslie Brathwaite (tracks 1-2, 10, 12, 15); Kevin Parker, Leslie Brathwaite (track 3); Leslie Brathwaite, Scott Little (track 4); Leslie Brathwaite, Brian Smith (track 5); Alvin Speights, Leslie Brathwaite (track 6); Alvin Speights (track 7); Brian Smith, Darin Prindle (track 8); Darin Prindle (track 9); Jay Lean, Brian Smith, SoulShock (track 11); Thom "T.K." Kidd (track 13); Michael Patterson (track 14); Ron Gresham (track 16).
Recorded at D.A.R.P. Studios, Studio LaCoCo and Doppler Studios, Atlanta, Georgia; Pure Studio, Los Angeles, California.
Samples include "Back Seat Of My Jeep" (as performed by LL Cool J), "Spoonin' Rap" (as performed by Sugar Hill Gang), and "Cutie Pie" (as performed by One Way).
In the ever-expanding school of teenage artists, Monica proves to be far ahead of her classmates. Toni Braxton-like vocals impress her adult audience, while the ghetto-driven music keeps her connected to her peers. Debuting with MISS THANG, Monica seizes the ground that other R&-wanna-B singers have barely trod.
MISS THANG breathed life back into the career-breaking smash single, "Don't Take It Personal." The album includes both that song and its remix, which combines the hit with Monica's interpretation of Jermaine Jackson's song of the same name. And while some seem to overdose on remakes, Monica keeps the covers to just one, the S.O.S. Band's "Tell Me If You Still Care." Although MISS THANG is colored with timeless ballads such as the Stacy Lattisaw-esque "Before You Walk Out Of My Life," songs like "Angel" show that Monica is also capable of a '90's sound. Her producers, including such prominent hit-makers as Dallas Austin, SoulShock, Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson, combine smooth grooves with brief elements of hip-hop. "Let's Straighten It Out," a duet with Usher that was originally recorded for the PANTHER soundtrack, is musically reminiscent of old-school R&B and sports a chorus from an old Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth song. Backed by Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Management, Monica promises to keep you tuned to all 16 cuts of MISS THANG.

• Genre: Pop
• Released: 7/18/1995
• Genre: Pop
• Released: 07/18/1995
• Released: 07/18/1995
• Format: CD
• Format: CD